I know you are devastated. I am so sorry. I wish no one ever had to get this horrible disease, or this kind of devastating news. There are lots of people on this board who are here for you. They have been through this, or are going through it, and will support you every way possible. Sometimes you will just need to talk about it, and this is a good place for that.

I am so, so sorry to read this news. I will give you this piece of advice and I hope it helps -- enjoy the time you have with Hoss. Spoil him as much as possible. Take lots and lots of pictures and videos. Make more memories that can comfort you when you need them most. You and Hoss will both benefit.

I think the only time a Biopsy is not concrete is if they don't happen to get what they suspect in the biopsy.

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

I think the shoulder is a fairly common area for them to get OSA. My sister's dog had it in the shoulder. How big is Hoss? Does he have to go up stairs to get outside or to the bedroom or anything? I'm just thinking that there may come a time when you will want to help him do stairs, and maybe even offer support during potty breaks. He may be too big to pick up and carry, but there are ways you can support him (they make harnesses and slings that can help).

I would definitely get it biopsied to make sure you aren't dealing with anything else, but it has the moth-eaten appearance, typical of osteosarcoma. I don't know if there is negative effects caused by biopsy but it can't be worse than whatever is eating away at his shoulder.

Run Hard at the Rainbow Bridge My Angel Sock-M! I Love You Baby Girl! Now that your Mom Starlit is up there too, please help her learn the ropes, love and keep her company until I can see you both again. Starlit I love you!http://i14.tinypic.com/2a8q345.jpg

Its been a bit since I've been on here, and a lot has happened. Hoss went to the bridge on September 11th of 2010, and I still miss him so much my heart aches. I just thank God every day that his passing was very peaceful, and that he is no longer in pain.

We had upped his pain medications to Gabapentin and Tramadol, at the highest doses. He started crying at night because he could not get comfortable, and he was slowing down and losing weight. His fur started to get spotty and brittle...and through all that, he kept that sparkle and love for life in his eye. The smile never fell from his face.

I took him in for another x-ray shortly before the end, and we were all shocked. It was a miracle he was still walking, and that his leg hadn't broken. The bone was so deteriorated that the doctor told me it could break at any time....he also told me it was time to say my goodbyes.

So I did.

I spent the last week of Hoss' life spoiling him rotten and taking him with me everywhere. I tried to cram the ten years I wanted with him into a few short days. I tried to show him how much I loved him.

On the morning of the 11th, I took Hoss on a walk early that morning, through the trees. We just kept eachother company, me trying to send him all the love and comfort vibes I could, even though I was constantly crying and it felt like my heart was being ripped out.

The vet was kind enough to come to my house instead of taking Hoss to the clinic where he was never comfortable. We sat on the back porch, in the warm sun. Hoss and I stretched out on a blanket, and we all just spoke for a while. Hoss went to sleep, peaceful and happy. We sedated him, and he never moved. He passed peacefully from his dreams and into Heaven. It was a beautiful way to go, and I'm so glad that it was like that.

I miss him so much. I can still hear him sometimes, his fussing in the crate at night, his bark. I look at his collars and the pain in my heart makes me catch my breath.

Hoss was a special dog, and I wish so much that I could have given him years longer. But I am so, so blessed and thankful that I had the time with him that I did. I don't regret a second of it.

I pray that he knew then, and knows now, how much I love him. I hope I gave him all he had lacked before.

Hoss knew and knows how much you love him. You made the hardest decision ever but it was clearly in his best interests. It's just never enough time, whether you spend 6mos together or 14 years, it's just never enough.